Trailer height allowance must remain, says FTA25 July 2011

As major players in the parcel, 3PL, retail and bakery transport sectors make their concerns known about EC proposals to limit the height of UK trailers to four metres, the FTA has leant its weight to their cause.

"All the evidence points to the fact that many significant operators in the UK use trailers that would be outlawed, if EC proposals went ahead," states Andy Mair, the Freight Transport Association's head of engineering policy.

"The cost-saving and CO2 benefits of higher trailers would be lost too," he adds.

The EC's proposal on masses and dimensions for type approval – which ensures that manufacturers of vehicles comply with certain safety and environmental standards – threatens to remove the existing derogation that allows vehicle and trailers in the UK to run at more than 4 metres high.

Following intensive lobbying, FTA says it is encouraged by the EC's announcement that it will consider lifting the height limit to 4.88m for double-deck trailers. However, this does not go far enough, says Mair.

"The truth is that there is a substantial chunk of our logistics sector that operate trailers over 4.88 metres. Ideally, we would like the height limit for all trailers, not just double-deck, to be set to at least 4.95m."

The FTA has sent its findings to the Department for Transport. Evidence from its survey of hauliers shows that: some cages used on double deck trailers bring the overall height to over 4.88m. Also, a lower height would mean that 'double-stacking' would no longer be possible.

Beyond these, some products moved in stillages are stacked with no room to spare height wise, and even a small reduction in height would result in the loss of one stillage per stack.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

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